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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Back when I was sick, I had to go to Muskogee Regional Medical Center for a CT Scan. Had I known it was there, I would have requested another location.

While the actual person who did my CT Scan was professional and personal, the rest of my experience was less than stellar. The woman behind the outpatient desk seemed more interested in talking to her coworkers than helping me and I didn't get back to the CT until one and a half hours AFTER my appointment.

After all this time, I finally got a bill for my part of the CT Scan LAST WEEK. My part of the bill is more than the entire bill for a CT Scan in Thailand. This is absolutely absurd to be paying these kinds of medical bills WITH INSURANCE!

I got a phone call just now from some bill collector outfit in Ohio asking me when I was going to pay my bill!

OHIO!!!

MRMC was sold to some "for profit" health care conglomerate in Tennessee or Kentucky; Capella Health System, or some such name, and has probably been sold again.

I'll do everything in my power to make sure no one I know goes to Muskogee Regional Medical Center. It just isn't worth it.

I just can't wait to see what Obamacare does. I'll bet it makes them even better.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Sally and I went to see the movie 2012 this weekend. It had GREAT movie special effects, the acting wasn't great, but not bad either, but the premise was just way too unbelievable for me. I can't tell you why, or I'll spoil the end, but let's just say that "God wouldn't destroy the Earth that way". You'll have to see it to understand, otherwise email me and I'll tell you.

Necessarily, for the plot, the movie includes many people praying that they would be spared from the impending disaster, all to no avail. It shows triumph of the "good" in mankind over selfishness. It showed mankind's desire to continue and survive. It even had interesting references to Biblical accounts of other disasters.

My hope for this movie, however, is that is scares the bejiggers out of people and makes them seek God, before it IS too late. I hope it stimulates all kinds of discussions toward spiritual matters between Believers and pre-Believers. I can see how this movie can be very, very scary for people who have no hope; for people that don't know their destiny.

All in all, I would recommend this movie. I'm not sure I'd take my kids to see it as it is very graphic and very violent, but it does make for good entertainment, and maybe an opportunity to witness...

Friday, November 06, 2009

My heart goes out to the families of the soldiers and civilian police officer killed by Nidal Hasan yesterday at Fort Hood, Texas. We should be in prayer for their families and the others who were wounded.

It came out this morning that Hasan was not killed as previously reported.

According to news reports, Nidal Malik Hasan has recently been under investigation for extremist Islamic views and has been reported to have been happy when an American soldier was recently killed on a military base in Arkansas. He had reportedly said that "suicide bombers were like a soldier that threw themselves on a grenade to save their comrades" and that "maybe people should strap bombs to themselves and go to Times Square."

What is alarming to me is that very quickly after the shootings began, the FBI declared that the shootings weren't terrorist related.

Let's see...a Muslim in a military uniform with extreme Islamic views killing American soldiers on American soil. How can they call it ANYTHING but terrorist related?

I've read some tweets from some bleeding-hearts who are sad that this "will turn into an Islam thing instead of being a mental health thing that it is." Gimme a break! We have got to wake up and quit being so politically correct! We must understand that Islam IS NOT a religion of peace. We are allowing our enemies to quietly infiltrate our country and even our military and perhaps even our government. We are handing it to them on a silver platter all under the pretense of trying to not offend them. How preposterous!

AND, quite frankly, many are scared to say anything about it because of the new "rules" of our own government. They are afraid to criticize Islam for fear of "hate speech." They are afraid to criticize our government or the FBI for fear of being on some sort of "domestic terrorist watch-list".

Well, baloney! I'm tired of being afraid in my own country! I lived under oppressive regimes overseas where I couldn't say anything. Well, this is my own country. I pay my taxes. I stand up and place my hand over my heart when I SING the National Anthem. I vote. I do not break the law. I am a responsible member of society and do not condone violence in any way (except, of course, in protecting your family). I support our government and our policies, for the most part. We pray for our elected officials at church every Wednesday evening. I don't hate anyone. I certainly don't hate Muslims. Many are good folk (and good Americans) and deplore the violence.

However, I'm tired of politically correct liberals telling me that I can't speak out against the things I oppose. Uh, did they not ever hear of a little something we like to call the First Amendment!?!

I know that some of you who read this are going to disagree with me. That is completely Okay! We are in America. You have the right to your opinion. I have the right to mine. That is one thing that makes America great. Some of you will think that my views divide and separate us from Muslims. Sorry to tell you, but we are already there. Some of you will think I am a closed minded bigot. You have the right to think that of me, even if you are wrong.

However, if we don't stop the tide of Islamic extremism right here in the homeland, we may soon lose the right to even have our own opinion.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

So called "gay marriage" has been voted down by Maine, making it having failed in all 31 states that has brought it before a vote of the people. This speaks louder than words, especially in Maine, a liberal morals state where homosexuals hoped that the trend would end.

However, the continual failure of the bill that would legalize a contract in immorality should signify to legislators, governors, and supporters that there is still some moral fiber left in the United States.

Supporters think that people who choose to live a lifestyle that is vehemently opposed to traditional values should be able to "marry" persons of the same sex. In my opinion, and evidently the opinion of the voters in Maine and 30 other states, they are wrong in their presumption.

Homosexuality is a sin, just as gossip, murder, drunkenness, idolatry, pornography, adultery, gluttony, lying, stealing, and coveting. In God's eyes, the eyes that ultimately matter most, there is no difference; they are all sin.

Our society is quietly decaying. Here in Oklahoma, in my lifetime, I have seen changes in liquor and gambling laws, even to the point where we have a State sponsored lottery. Church attendance is down, generally, until a national crisis happens, then all of a sudden, everyone "needs" God. God hasn't changed, nor have His views of sin.

Make no mistake: even if so-called "gay marriage" is ever voted as "legal", it will still be illegal in God's plan.

I updated my Facebookstatus last night with "some goober down the street already has his Christmas lights on!". I was amazed at how quickly I had responses and how many I had! Two of the commentors mentioned that there are radio stations that are already playing Christmas music 24/7. One mentioned that we should celebrate our Lord all year long. (good comment, btw)

Here's my deal. First off- I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I really do. I always have. I'm a whole lot like Clark W. Griswold in that respect. Second- let's get through Thanksgiving first! (not to mention Halloween) Third- I don't understand the motivation to have your Christmas lights up and on in early November. Most (or at least many) people I know use Thanksgiving weekend to put the lights up. I know I'm usually itching to put them up about that time. Fourth- the motivation for Christmas music on the radio this early IS TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY! At least that's what they said on the news this morning. We all have known for a long time that Christmas in America has ceased being a religions holiday and is widely used as a marketing tool. BUT IN NOVEMBER???

I'm only half-way joking when I say that it is a sign of the last days.